Martyn Lloyd-Jones on the Gospel of Mark: Key Questions and Answers

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones mean by "the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ"?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, "the beginning of the gospel" refers to the commencement of the good news about Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that this isn't merely a theory or philosophy but an announcement of something that has actually happened in history. As he states: "The gospel is a message concerning something that has happened. And I say that that in and of itself makes it imperative that we should listen to it." Unlike philosophical systems which present theories, the gospel presents historical events that have transformed human history and split time into two.

Why does Dr. Lloyd-Jones claim the gospel is more relevant than politics and social concerns?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones argues that while politics and social concerns deal with temporal and material conditions, the gospel addresses deeper, more foundational issues of human existence. He says: "The gospel addresses us on a deeper level and this is the first great reason why we should listen to it." It deals with questions of life itself, the meaning of death, eternity, and man's fundamental nature. As he puts it: "This alone is relevant" because it addresses our deepest problems - sin, our relationship with God, and eternal destiny - which no political or social program can solve.

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones distinguish the Christian gospel from other religions?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones distinguishes Christianity from other religions by emphasizing its historical nature versus the theoretical nature of other faiths. He states: "Confucius doesn't tell you about something that's happened. He just tells you what he thinks... But here we are face to face with something that puts this message in an entirely different category." Christianity isn't primarily a system of ethics or philosophy but an announcement of God's intervention in human history through Jesus Christ. The gospel isn't one religion among many but a proclamation of historical events with universal implications.

What does Lloyd-Jones identify as the main reason people should listen to the gospel?

The main reason people should listen to the gospel, according to Lloyd-Jones, is that it is God Himself speaking through His Son. He states: "This is the thing that puts it into a category quite apart this evening, that it is God speaking in the person of his only son, addressing us directly." The unique authority of Jesus as both fully human and fully divine makes His message categorically different from human wisdom. As Lloyd-Jones says: "Here is one who's come out of eternity into time" who can truly address our deepest needs.

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, what is the "good news" of the gospel?

The good news, according to Lloyd-Jones, is that despite mankind's sin and rebellion which have resulted in estrangement from God and all human problems, God has made a way of reconciliation through Jesus Christ. He summarizes it: "God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them." This good news means forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, new life, new power to overcome temptation, and the promise of eternal life. As he quotes: "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life."

How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the typical reaction to the gospel in New Testament times?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones describes the New Testament reaction to the gospel as one of excitement, confidence, and urgency. He says: "There is a note of joy, there's a note of confidence, there's a note of assurance." He points to examples like the apostle Paul who declared "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ" and the early Christians who "went everywhere preaching the word" even when persecuted. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes how the first believers were so excited about the message that they couldn't help but share it, seeing opportunities to proclaim it even in persecution and hardship.

What does Dr. Lloyd-Jones identify as the root cause of human problems?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies sin as the fundamental cause of all human problems. He states emphatically: "All our troubles, all of them... There is nothing which can be excluded. All our troubles are due to our sin and due to the fact that we are estranged from God." He explains that the need for governments, laws, and social structures exists only because of sin. The world's problems - wars, suffering, injustice - stem from mankind's rebellion against God, which has brought disorder, jealousy, strife, hatred, and lust into the world.

What contrast does Lloyd-Jones draw between divine and human solutions to problems?

Lloyd-Jones contrasts human solutions (psychotherapy, drugs, political programs, sociological schemes) with God's solution in the gospel. Human solutions depend on human ability, willpower, time, and energy - but "the trouble with us is we can't do it. We lack the willpower." In contrast, the gospel "is the power of God unto salvation" - it provides divine power to transform lives when human efforts fail. While human solutions address symptoms, the gospel addresses the root cause of all problems by reconciling us to God and giving us a new nature.